Rural Health Care
Supporting healthcare facilities in bringing world class medical care to rural areas through increased connectivity
Upcoming Dates
How It Works
The Rural Health Care program funds two types of services.
You can apply for funding for Voice and Data, Broadband, or both.
Voice and Data
If you need voice and other telecommunication services, you may be eligible for funding through the Telecommunications Program.
Discount Rate: Determined using the urban/rural differential.
Broadband
If you need broadband services, network equipment, etc., you may be eligible for funding through the Healthcare Connect Fund (HCF) Program.
Discount Rate: Flat 65% discount on eligible expenses.
The Process
These steps will help you navigate the process to get funding.
Determine your eligibility
Develop evaluation criteria and request services
Evaluate bids and select a service provider
Submit a funding request
Certify service start and end dates
Work with your service provider to invoice USAC
Announcements
RHC Connect Outage Due to System Maintenance: September 7, 2026
Sep 4, 2026
RHC Connect will be unavailable on Monday, September 7, 2026, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. ET...
Read MoreFY2025 Annual Report Due September 30!
Aug 31, 2026
All Healthcare Connect Fund (HCF) participants receiving Rural Health Care (RHC) program funding are required to submit an...
Read MoreUSAC Postpones Transition to SAM.gov Banking Information
Aug 10, 2026
USAC will postpone the transition to SAM.gov banking information to perform additional testing and validation for a...
Read MoreFY2027 Urban and Rural Rates – Telecommunications (Telecom) Program
Aug 7, 2026
On August 7, 2026, the FCC released an order, FCC 26-54. This order waives the FCC’s rules...
Read More